Helmet



Nov. 9, 1926. 1,606,531

H. R. HART HELMET v Filed July 31, 1925 INVENTOR Henry fiidyeulayflari v BY #(2 {I Z I ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,606,531 PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY RIDGE-WAY HART, OF MONTQLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

HELMET.

Application filed July 31, 1925. Serial No. 47,189.

This invention relates to helmets such as are adapted to be worn by aviators. One object of the invention is the provision of a helmet which shall have incorporated therewith a face mask and which may be readily put on and taken off. To this end a face mask and head cover are formed as a unitary construction and in the rear of the head portion a gore is provided which is adapted to'be readily closed by an automatic interengaging fastening device. A further object of the invention is to provide a helmet capable of use without change for breathing naturally and for permitting a supply of oxygen to the wearer. According to this aspect of the invention the nose portion of the face mask is provided with apertures by which air may enter the nostrils of the wearer, a resilient or yielding aperture being formed in the mask opposite the wearers mouth through which a tube for the supply of The invention also has forv its object the provision of a helmet which shall be of warm and durable material and which shall contribute to the maximum comfort of the wearer. To this end the helmet is formed of pliable leather with an inner lining of warm soft material, such as chamois, and is padded over the ears and cheek bones to provide a cushioning support for goggles. These and other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment il lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the-helmet in place upon the head of the wearer.

Figure 2 is a-frontview showing the helmet and face mask, a portion being removed to illustrate the construction of the gas tube receiver.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in section taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the manner of incorporating the face mask with the head ortion of the helmet and the manner of padding.

The head portion and face mask are constructed as a unitary structure. The outer covering is of soft pliable leather and comprises side pieces a, a, joinedby a seam a beneath the chi-nand joined by seams to crown portions a a respectively. The

oxygen may be inserted.

. holes 9, 9,

sections a are united in a central seam a which terminates at about the highest point of the crown a in a gore b which extends to the bottom edge of the helmet at the nape of the neck. The neck part a is re-enforced by a binding of leather and similarly the edge of the aperture a for the reception of the face mask is bound with leather as at a. Underlying the gore is a tongue I) of leather secured to one edge and the gore is adapted to be closed by What may be termed an automatic interlocking device 11 The respective engagingelements are carried by the sides of the gore and a slide is adapted to effect the interengagement of the fastening devices.

The face mask is shaped to conform generally to the wearers face with a chin portion 0 having tucks 0 taken therein to conform to the underneath portion of the wearers chin. A nose portion is illustrated at d having apertures d formed in the lowermost part thereof to permit the assage of air to the nostrils of the wearer. eneath the nose is an aperture 6 and secured to the leather cover rearwardly is a resilient element such as a sheetof rubber having an aperture f therein in register with the aperture 6. Eye are also formed in the face mask and lmmediately beneath the eye holes over the cheek bones of the wearer there are formed padded portions h, h. The helmet is laminated, that is, it is formed of an outer layer c (Figure 3)of durable material, such as leather, and an inner lining j of warm soft material, such as chamois.. Similarly the face mask is formed of an outer covering .1 and a lining J of chamois. Immediately beneath the eye holes at the points it and over the ears as at k padding h, k is introduced between the respective layers. In wardly of the pad h a strip of chamois J may be disposedto still further cushion that portion." The pads h cushion to a great extent the goggles worn by the aviaton To facilitate the positiofrof the goggles loops Z are provided upon the portions 0. These loops maybe sewn to the head cover at one end as at Z and may be secured at their other ends as by snap fasteners Z to'facilitate the putting on and taking off of the goggles.

The construction just described affords a helmet which is a complete covering for the wearers head, is warm and durable, and may be conveniently manufactured in a practical manner. It may be expeditiously put on and taken 011' and is applicable especially for flights at high altitudes where a sup%ly of oxygen is required for the aviator. y the appropriate'disposition of padding the wearer s features are sions from external sources. 7

Various modifications may be made in the materials, particular manner of assembly and component elements of the invention as Well as the particular fastening devices adapted and no limitation is intended by foregoing description except as indicated in the a pended claims.

W at I claim is:

1. An aviators helmet-comprising a unitary laminated face portion and a head portion, said face portion having eye apertures and being formed immediately beneath each eye aperture with a pad disposed between cushioned against abra-.

the

the layers and projecting outwardly to form supports for removable goggles. 2. An aviators helmet comprising an integral face and head portion, said face portion havin eye apertures and being formed immediate y below each eye aperture with a pad disposed between the layers and proecting outwardly to form supports for removable goggles,- a nose portion having breathing holes, ment mounted in nose portion and having an aperture for the reception'of a gas tube, the walls of the aperture being adapted to grip the gas tube yielding-1y.

This sppcification signed this 30" dayof July, .A, n. 1925; ,9

HENRY RIDGEWAY HART.

and a yielding resilient elethe face portion below said 

